On Friday, September 21 / 12, students of Nakasuk School, Iqaluit, participated in the annual Terry Fox Walk. As a policy, we do not promote the 'door to door' collection of funds. Instead, we simply ask students to make a small contribution. Consequently, they raised in excess of $800.00 for the Fox Foundation. As well, one of our Grade 5 students, Julia Balfour, made a family donation of $150.00 to the collection.

We thank our students for their efforts and our Faculty and Staff for the organization of the event. Additionally, we thank the By-Law Officers of the City of Iqaluit for providing the escort for the students as they walked the ring road.

Nakasuk School, Iqaluit, has been engaged in several weeks of intensive planning for the academic year. This has, initially, been in areas pertaining to Literacy and Professional Development. However, these are all items that have been specifically designated as topics of focus for our School Program Plan.

The involvement of Staff on a volunteer basis, outside of school hours, has been commendable and much appreciated by Administration and the Nakasuk School Community. Additionally, the Staff meet on a weekly basis every Tuesday from 4:00 - 5:00 to jointly plan for activities that will enhance learning opportunities for our students.

We are pleased to share with you some of the pictures showing these planning sessions.

Nakasuk School, Iqaluit, has regularly supported the Nunavut Teacher Education Program. Recently, Ooraima Holland (Instructor: NTEP) made a request of the Principal of Nakasuk School. She asked if we would provide an opportunity for some of her Year 2 Students to receive a mini-inservice on Planning with the emphasis on Year Plans. We readily agreed to this overture.

Consequently, on 11 / 09 / 12, the four students, accompanied by Ooraima Holland, participated in a presentation from 9:30 AM until 12:00 noon. During that time frame Tracey MacMillan, Principal, presented an overview of the: format; approach; and rationale for planning. She was assisted by Marlene Letkeman, Curriculum Support Teacher.

We are very pleased to provide this service for the program. Eventually these students will be hired as educators in the schools in Nunavut. Therefore, it is imperative, that they have a solid grounding in the fundamentals, preparation and presentation of material.

We thank Ooraima Holland, Instructor, for providing us the opportunity to assist her in this manner. We look forward to participating in other areas of common interest throughout the academic year.

This academic year, Nakasuk School, Iqaluit, has again entered into a partnership with the Nunavut Teacher Education Program of Arctic College. Currently, we have two, fourth year NTEP Interns completing their final practicum. They will assist and present lessons at the school until the Christmas break. Additionally, on 06-09-12, we welcomed six, third year Interns from the Nunavut Teacher Education Program. The Interns will be completing a 5-day practicum. Throughout the five days they will teach various lessons. They will return for further sessions in the new year. We thank the Teacher Mentors and NTEP Interns for their time and dedication to the educational process.

We are appreciative of the confidence the Nunavut Teacher Education Program has in our presentation of strong programming. It will enhance the skill sets of the Student Interns. As well, we acknowledge the Iqaluit District Education Authority for their support of this partnership with Nunavut Arctic College.

At Nakasuk School, Iqaluit, teachers celebrated the first week of classes with various school-wide activities. These events used the Principles of Inuit Quajimajatuqangit as a focus. In particular, they highlighted concepts of collaboration, consultation and service. It provided good examples of students and teachers interacting in positive fun-filled activities that set a happy tone for the new school year.

The week culminated with the full student body participating in a Daily Physical Activity. It was held in the gym with all of the staff leading the exercises from the gym stage. At the conclusion of the DPA, classes made and shared a Friendship Fruit Salad!

We thank teacher Kelly Esford and her Grade 4 class for organizing this wonderful event and preparing the food.

Each year Nakasuk School, Iqaluit, presents a successful Nunavut Literacy Week that is characterized by many different activities. These student activities require a lot of planning. Consequently, they run smoothly and are always quite enjoyable.

Last week teachers gathered to begin preparations. They eagerly met after school to plan for our students and to generate some new ideas and approaches for this year. We thank the Literacy Committee for taking the initiative to set the stage for upcoming student involvement.

The new academic year at Nakasuk School, Iqaluit, has begun with success! We congratulate three of our artistically talented students for their contribution to the 2012-2013 Calendar published by the Nunavut Department of Education. We were pleased to receive a box of materials that included calendars, cards, and bookmarks featuring beautiful student art work! The art work was completed during the Picturing Writing process which is a hands-on, visual approach to literacy learning in our classrooms at Nakasuk School.

In the attached photo are the smiling students. Each of them is holding a copy of their artistic creation.

It is a pleasure to welcome new and returning Staff to Nakasuk School!

This is a year in which we will build on the programs of previous years and continue to promote the positives and enhance the learning environment of students entrusted to our care. Some of you will be following familiar paths, while others will be experiencing new approaches and academic adventures. For all of us, it will be a positive experience that will be characterized by personal and professional growth.

There are four elements that will define our new year at Nakasuk School. They are: care; concern; cooperation; and communication. All of these elements are part of the Principles of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit. By adhering to these, we will, indeed be "Setting the Standard - Leading the Way."

Welcome back to old and new colleagues. It will be a pleasure, as the Principal, to serve the Nakasuk School Community. I look forward to collaboration and consultation throughout the year as we move forward under the mandates of the Education Act and address the desired goals of the Iqaluit District Education Authority.